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What is Safe Toys & Gifts Month 2025?
Safe Toys & Gifts Month focuses on raising awareness about the importance of selecting toys and gifts that meet safety standards and align with a child’s age and developmental stage. The goal is to prevent accidents and injuries caused by inappropriate or hazardous toys, especially during a time when gift-giving is common.
Safe Toys and Gifts Month is observed every December to promote the selection of safe, age-appropriate, and non-toxic toys for children, aiming to prevent toy-related injuries during the holiday season.
Goals and Importance
The primary goals of Safe Toys and Gifts Month include:
- Promoting Safety: Educating parents, caregivers, and gift-givers about the importance of selecting toys that meet safety standards and are appropriate for a child's age and developmental stage.
- Preventing Injuries: Highlighting the risks of toy-related injuries, such as choking hazards, sharp edges, and toxic materials, to encourage informed purchasing decisions.
- Encouraging Supervision: Advocating for adult supervision during playtime to ensure children use toys safely.
Tips for Safe Gift-Giving
To ensure safe toy selection during this month, consider the following tips:
- Check Labels: Always look for age-appropriate labels and safety certifications on toys.
- Avoid Small Parts: Steer clear of toys with small parts that could pose choking hazards for young children.
- Inspect for Hazards: Examine toys for sharp edges, loose parts, or any potential dangers.
- Research and Reviews: Read reviews and ask for recommendations from other parents and caregivers.
- Support Educational Toys: Choose toys that encourage learning, creativity, and development.
How to Promote Safe Toys & Gifts
Promoting safe toys and gifts during this month is essential for children’s well-being. Here are ways to ensure safe gift-giving:
- Check Labels: Always look for age-appropriate labels on toys and gifts and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Avoid Small Parts: Steer clear of toys with small parts or choking hazards for young children.
- Inspect for Hazards: Examine toys for sharp edges, loose parts, or any potential dangers that could harm children.
- Read Reviews: Research toys and gifts online, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from other parents and caregivers.
- Consider Child’s Age: Consider a child’s age, interests, and abilities when selecting gifts.
- Support Educational Toys: Choose toys and gifts that encourage learning, creativity, and development.
- Spread Awareness: Share safety tips and information about Safe Toys & Gifts Month with your community and on social media.
This holiday season (and beyond), please consider the following guidelines for choosing safe toys for all ages:
- Inspect all toys before buying. Avoid those that shoot or include parts that fly off. The toy should have no sharp edges or points and should be sturdy enough to withstand impact without breaking, being crushed, or being pulled apart easily.
- When purchasing toys for children with special needs try to: Choose toys that may appeal to different senses such as sound, movement, and texture; consider interactive toys to allow the child to play with others; and think about the size of the toy and the position a child would need to be in to play with it.
- Be diligent about inspecting toys your child has received. Check them for age, skill level, and developmental appropriateness before allowing them to be played with.
- Look for labels that assure you the toys have passed a safety inspection – “ATSM” means the toy has met the American Society for Testing and Materials standards.
- Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (give a helmet with the skateboard)
- Keep kids safe from lead in toys by: Educating yourself about lead exposure from toys, symptoms of lead poisoning, and what kinds of toys have been recalled; being aware that old toys may be more likely to contain lead in the paint; having your children wash their hands frequently and calling your doctor if you suspect your child has been exposed to lead. Consult the last two websites listed below for more information.
- Do NOT give toys with small parts (including magnets and “button” batteries which can cause serious injury or death if ingested) to young children as they tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the piece can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for kids under age three.
- Do NOT give toys with ropes and cords or heating elements.
- Do NOT give crayons and markers unless they are labeled “nontoxic.”
Sources American Public Health Association, Prevent Blindness
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On Monday, December 1st we join partners and communities to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025, under the theme "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response," calling for sustained political leadership, international cooperation, and human-rights-centered approaches to end AIDS by 2030.
After decades of progress, the HIV response stands at a crossroads. Life-saving services are being disrupted, and many communities face heightened risks and vulnerabilities. Yet amid these challenges, hope endures in the determination, resilience, and innovation of communities who strive to end AIDS.
World AIDS Day is a time to honor the lives affected by HIV/AIDS and to renew our commitment to ending the epidemic. It is crucial to spotlight the vital role of Black voices in the fight against HIV and AIDS, as Black communities in the United States and globally remain disproportionately impacted by the epidemic. The CDC reports that Black Americans accounted for 40% of new HIV diagnoses in 2021, despite representing only 13% of the population. These disparities are exacerbated by systemic barriers such as healthcare inequities, socioeconomic disparities, and enduring stigma.
The National Black Justice Collective emphasizes the need to address the stigma and ignorance surrounding HIV/AIDS, which have historically discouraged open discussions, testing, and treatment adherence within Black communities. The NBJC also highlights the importance of culturally competent education and the demand for equity in healthcare for traditionally underserved and vulnerable folks, especially the Black LGBTQ+/SGL communities.
World AIDS Day serves as a reminder to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS and to ensure that Black communities receive the testing, treatment, care, and prevention they need. It is a time to honor the activists, medical professionals, and advocates who have worked tirelessly to advance awareness, research, and treatment.
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This November, Caregiver Action Network invites you to join them in recognizing family caregivers across the country during National Family Caregivers Month. Each November, they pause to recognize and honor the family caregivers who devote their time, energy, and love to supporting a family member or friend with health needs. This year’s focus is on connection—helping caregivers. The theme, Plug-in to Care, helps caregivers easily “plug in” to vital support tools, trusted networks, and educational resources that can make the caregiving journey less overwhelming and more supported.
Join Caregiver Action Network for Care Connections, a special Plug-in to Care Webinar Series celebrating National Family Caregivers Month. Throughout this series, they spotlight a key area of caregiving and share practical tools, peer insights, and expert advice to help you connect to the resources you need. Whether you’re navigating care for the first time or balancing caregiving with work and family, this series is designed to meet you where you are.
National Family Caregivers Month 2025 | Caregiver Webinar Series
Finally, for those moments when you need reassurance and reinforcement, here are a few helpful scriptures:
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. -- Deuteronomy 31:8
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” – Isaiah 40:29
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
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November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Each November, we pause to raise awareness about lung cancer—its risk factors, the importance of early detection, and the hope found in new treatments.
There’s good news: over the past 40 years, deaths from lung cancer have steadily declined among Black Americans. Even better, when lung cancer is discovered and treated early, it can often be cured. And today, more treatment options exist than ever before—even for advanced cases.
Still, lung cancer remains a serious concern. It is the leading cause of all cancer-related deaths in the United States. That reality reminds us of how vital it is to care for our health, to seek medical attention early, and to support one another in both body and spirit.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Often, there are no symptoms at all—which is why screening is so important.
Common signs may include:
- Coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus
- Frequent respiratory infections
- A persistent or changing cough
- Pain or ache in the chest, back, or shoulders
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Fatigue, weakness, or loss of appetite
- A lingering “flu-like” feeling
Getting Screened
1. Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider (such as a nurse practitioner) to find out if you should be screened.
2. Ask for a prescription for a low-dose CT scan (LDCT).
3. Your provider will refer you to a clinic or hospital that offers this type of screening.
What to Expect During Screening
The process is simple and painless:
- No needles, no drinks, and no special preparation.
- Avoid wearing clothing with metal (buttons, zippers, buckles).
- Remove jewelry or piercings just before the test.
- You’ll lie on a cushioned table while a scanner takes pictures of your lungs.
- The scan takes only a few minutes and you won’t feel a thing.
Early detection saves lives—talk to your provider today about whether screening is right for you.
Helpful Resources
- Cancer Facts and Figures for Black Americans (2019–2021)
- Lung Cancer in African American Men (CDC Infographic)
- Healthy Eating and the Mediterranean Diet
- Living with Lung Cancer | CDC: Living with Lung Cancer
A Word of Encouragement
As we recognize Lung Cancer Awareness Month, let’s remember that caring for our bodies is an act of stewardship and gratitude for the life God has given us. Encourage loved ones to get checked, especially those who have smoked or been exposed to secondhand smoke.
Together, we can shine a light on prevention, stand with those in treatment, and pray for healing and hope. The Lord is still in the business of miracles—and early action can be one of them.
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November brings a special light to the lives of many as it marks National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time dedicated to understanding and supporting those affected by diabetes.
Diabetes affects millions of Americans and is a leading cause of serious complications, including kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, adult blindness and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Yet many people remain unaware they’re at risk. Genetics, lifestyle habits and limited access to healthcare all contribute to this growing health crisis.
This November in honor of Diabetes Awareness Month and its theme — “Taking Action to Prevent Diabetes-Related Health Problems” — the American Red Cross is offering free A1C screenings to all blood donors who haven’t received the test in the past 12 months. About 1 in 5 donors tested had results in the prediabetic or diabetic range—clear evidence that early awareness can save lives.
Find a blood drive near you to take action: Schedule a Blood, Platelet or Plasma Donation | American Red Cross